These 15 Sacramento-area beers have the cleverest names of any released in 2018

Oak Park Brewing Co.’s “What She Says Gose” came in at No. 11 on The Bee’s list. Benjy Egelbegel@sacbee.com

Oak Park Brewing Co.’s “What She Says Gose” came in at No. 11 on The Bee’s list. Benjy Egelbegel@sacbee.com

In today’s crowded craft beer market, sometimes the best-selling beverages are those with the most eye-catching names, such as Track 7’s Panic IPA or Reno As (Expletive) from Revision Brewing. Sacramento-area breweries seem to have gotten the hint, and the first six months of 2018 have seen all kinds of pun-rich drinks flow from local taps.

Knee Deep Brewing Co.’s cheekiness got into legal trouble earlier this year when Sony Pictures Television sued for trademark infringement damages over the Auburn brewery’s Breaking Bud IPA. That beer was first released in 2015, when Knee Deep’s CEO said Sony reached out to let him know they thought the name was funny.

The following beers topped The Bee’s list of the cleverest names throughout the year’s first six months. All information on alcohol content, IBUs and consumer ratings come from the beer review site UnTappd, where review scores aren’t listed for beers with fewer than 10 appraisals.

15. “These Boots Were Made For Hoppin’ ” by Loomis Basin Brewing (8.2% ABV, 40 IBU, 4.1 stars). Brewed specifically for International Women’s Day with a hop blend from the Pink Boots Society, a club of female brewers, this New England IPA carries smelling notes of orange blossom and peaches.

Sign Up and Save

14. “Rye2D2” by Sactown Union Brewery (5.8% ABV, 41 IBU, 3.9 stars). Released a week before “Solo: A Star Wars Story” hit theaters, this American pale ale was brewed with two-row crystal malt and a hint of rye.

13. “Sir Vesa” by Old Hangtown Beer Works (5.3% ABV, 23 IBU, <10 reviews). Drinkers often paired this Mexican lager released just before Cinco De Mayo with meals from Paquitas Taco Truck at Old Hangtown’s Rancho Cordova brewery.

12. “Zwickel Me Timbers” by New Glory Craft Brewery (5.4% ABV, No IBU, 3.7 stars). Four-packs of this Zwickelbier — an unfiltered, unpasteurized lager — sold for $11 at New Glory’s brewery off Folsom Boulevard.

11. “What She Says Gose” by Oak Park Brewing Co. (5.2%, 20 IBU, <10 reviews): This sour beer infused with lime and honey debuted last week and is on tap now at the brewery.

9. “Pro-Zach” by Bike Dog Brewing Co. (6.9% ABV, No IBU, 3.9 stars). This West Coast IPA remembers Zach Waddle, a Land Park bicycle shop owner whose celebration of life was held at Bike Dog’s West Sacramento brewery after he died of cancer at age 41 in 2016.

8. “Prost Malone” by Ol’ Republic Brewery (4.9% ABV, No IBU, 3.4 stars). This Czech pilsner came out weeks after the release of rapper Post Malone’s second studio album “Beerbongs & Bentleys,” which spent three weeks atop the Billboard 200 chart.

5. “Galaxy Far, Far A Haze” by Ol’ Republic Brewery (5.3% ABV, No IBU, 4 stars). Another beer that debuted around the release of “Solo,” this New England IPA has been carried at several area Round Table pizza parlors and Pete’s Restaurant & Brewhouse.

Want a new meal or a different brew?

Be the first to know about the next big thing. Benjy Egel and other Bee reporters constantly pound the pavement to explore all the developments in the Sacramento dining scene.

Our team provides you vital information:

Updates on the latest openings and closings across the region.

Rising trends and emerging stars in the craft beer scene.

Watchdog stories that keep you safe and local businesses accountable.

Smart, local tips that save you time and money.

All of this plus the local & regional news you want are part of our digital subscription package. Sign up today!

The Bee’s Benjy Egel is launching a new effort to cover Sacramento’s dining and beer scene. Please send tips and story ideas by email at begel@sacbee.com, on Twitter @BenjyEgel or by phone at (916) 321-1052.